Vehicle signal



Oct. 19, 1937. FORTIER 2,096,096

VEHICLE S IGNAL Filed May 21, 1956 Inventor Attorney Patented Oct. 19, 1937 PATENT IO FF m VEHICLE SIGNAL Leo Fortier, St. Ferreol, Quebec, Canada Application May 21, 1936, Serial No. 81,059

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle signals.

An object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle signal constructed so as to reproduce selected sounds.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle signal which is capable of reproducing predetermined sounds such as speech or music.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle signal of the aforesaid character which may be conveniently controlled by the vehicle operator.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a'vehicle signal of the above character which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the signal operatively mounted on the steering post of an automobile,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the signal with the casing open and part thereof broken away to show interior construction,

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the signal,

Figure 4 is a similar section reduced and showing the signal device in sounding arrangement, and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the control mechanism mounted on the Vehicle steering post. 7

Referring to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a, preferred embodiment of the invention, l0 generally designates a hollow cylindrical casing having a hinged cover I I. To the front wall structure'of the casing, in registration with an opening therein, is connected a tubular horn 12 having an increasing taper toward the outer end.

Within the casing I0 is fitted an electric operating motor l4 provided with a shaft I 5 extending longitudinally in the casing and formed so that a record l6 may be removably fastened thereon. The record I6 is in the form of a disc secured concentrically on the shaft 15 having sound grooves and indentations upon the periphery thereof.

Within the horn I 2 is mounted a concentrically disposed tone-arm l8 connected with a pivot pin I9 arrangedtransversely in the horn. A U-shaped spring 20 is disposed so that one arm is fastened to the interior of the horn l2, while 7 the opposed arm bears against or is fastened to the under-side of the tone-arm I8, inwardly of the pivot pin so that the spring tends to raise the inner end of the tone-arm. At the inner extremity, the tone-arm I8 is provided with suitable reproducing mechanism such as a diaphragm enclosing sound-x21 equipped with a stylus 22 movable into contact with the sound grooves on the periphery of the record disc [6.

On the intermediate portion of the tone-arm is fitted a ring 24 formed with an eye to which is connected one end of a coiled tension spring 25. The opposed end of the tension spring 25 is connected with a flexible operating member 26, which may be a suitable wire. The wire 28, which is preferably enclosed in a suitable conduit 21', is extended through an opening in the rear end of a housing 28 adapted to be secured of a coil spring 372, the opposed end of the springbeing connected with a rod 33' slidably mounted in a. switchcasing 34 for actuating the control. switch. Electric conductors 35 extendrfrom the switch 34 to the motor l4 and control the circuit through the motor. 7

When it is desired tooperate the signal, the

vehicle operator pulls the handle 30 upwardly toward the steering wheel, simultaneously actuating the switch rod '33 to close the circuit through The inner end of the wire the motor l4 and drawing the control member 2 6 so 'as. to swing the tone-arm: l8 'in such manner as to cause the stylus 22 to come into contact with the sound grooves on the periphery or the record 16 which is-caused to revolve throughrthe operation of the motor I4. 'When the-handle 3!] is released, the control switch 34 automatically opens to discontinue operation of the electric motor and release of the control member 26 allows the U spring 30 to tilt the tone-arm so that the stylus 22 disengages the record and the signal is rendered inoperative.

Thus, the signal may be equippedwith a record for'reproducing any desired sound asifor' instance to annunciate the name of the manufacturer of the Vvehicle'to which the device is attached ior example, Henry Ford or the like.

@It is to be understood that the form of my; invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, sizeand i arrangement of partsv may be resorted to without departing fromlthe spirit of the invention or the V scope of the subj oined claim.

, Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a sound signal of the character described,

a tubular casing having a relatively large horn attached thereto at right angles to the casing longitudinal axis, a low-speed motor mounted in V one end of the casing andrhaving ashaft extend-- ing longitudinally'therein, a disc securedto said shaft, the disc having on its peripheral edge'a continuous sound record groove, asound reproducing tone-arm having a smallhorn pivoted concentrically. within the larger horn and having a stylus engageable with the 1 record groove to reproduce the sounds inscribed therein, spring means yieldingly holding :the tone-arm away from the sound groove,-and remote control mechanism for simultaneously controlling the operation of the record operating motor and'the tone arm forfsounding the signal.

LEO FOR'VIIER. 

